The Real Estate Institute of New Zealand (REINZ) says the Government’s latest anti–money laundering reforms are a balanced and practical solution that maintains robust protections while making the system work more efficiently for New Zealanders.

At the AML Summit 2026, Associate Minister of Justice Nicole McKee announced changes expected to take effect this week, designed to make New Zealand’s AML/CFT regime smarter, more proportionate, and focused on genuine risk. REINZ supports Minister McKee’s approach to removing excessive red tape for low-risk transactions, and acknowledges the Government’s ongoing dedication to strengthening the AML/CFT framework, while ensuring it remains workable in practice.

REINZ General Counsel Melisa Beight said these changes strike an important balance, maintaining strong safeguards while reducing unnecessary complexity for low-risk transactions.

“Real estate is a highly regulated sector, and real estate professionals take their AML compliance obligations seriously. Many agencies invest significantly in compliance, with some larger brands spending more than $1 million annually and almost all agencies having dedicated AML Compliance Officers.

The reforms recognise this maturity and the strength of existing AML controls within the sector, while ensuring effort is directed where risk is highest”, she said.

One example of the more proportionate, risk-based approach is the relaxation of mandatory Enhanced Due Diligence requirements for low-risk trusts, such as simple family trusts.

“For many New Zealanders, this will help avoid unnecessary delays in property transactions by reducing red-tape and compliance costs for low-risk transactions,” Beight said.

REINZ represents more than 95% of the real estate profession across New Zealand, including residential sales, rural, commercial and industrial real estate, and residential property management. It works closely with government and regulators to support a system that is both effective and proportionate. This close engagement on AML reform has included meaningful consultation with the Ministry of Justice and the Department of Internal Affairs throughout the reform process, helping to shape practical improvements for both consumers and real estate professionals.

The new AML levy strikes the right balance, with higher-risk sectors expected to bear the majority of the cost. The real estate sector’s lower risk rating – and its well-implemented AML controls – have been expressly acknowledged in the recent sector risk assessment, with only a small impact expected for real estate businesses.

About REINZ

The Real Estate Institute of New Zealand (REINZ) is the country’s leading membership organisation for the real estate profession. It represents almost 17,000 professionals working within member offices nationwide, across the residential, rural, commercial and industrial, business broking, auctioneering and residential property management sectors.

REINZ supports the profession through education and training, advocacy, trusted market data and insights, events, and practical tools and resources that help members deliver high standards of service to New Zealanders. REINZ is also recognised as the trusted guardian of New Zealand’s most accurate and timely real estate data, widely relied on by media, economists, banks, government agencies and industry stakeholders to understand market trends and conditions.

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